New Blues Review 8-12-25
By Jack Roy
Revere Rivers – I Was Born Of Water (Regional Records)
Bio – “Revere Rivers has played the blues and paid his dues. He’s performed in bands opening for the likes of The Roots and Ivan Neville. He studied piano and Hammond B-3 from the masters in New Orleans. After rambling from river town to river town, he settled down in Kansas City. With years of songs under his belt, Revere Rivers was ready to record an album. When the door needed to opened, a VP of Virgin Music Group, Steve Weatherby, spots his talents and suggests connecting Revere with Los Angeles-based record producer Marvin Etzioni, who has worked with Lone Justice, Counting Crows, and Trombone Shorty, to name a few. Revere suggested to Marvin, let’s try one song together and see what happens. After completing the Revere original “Lofty Politics,” their fate had been sealed.”
Review – The album features James Gadson (Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, McCartney) on drums on the opening track and first single, “A Girl Named Happiness” (another Revere original soon to be a classic). David Ralicke (Beck, The Shins, Morrissey) arranged horns for the entire album. Think Stax, early Van Morrison, and Gil Evans as influences. Revere Rivers is a third-generation musician. His grandfather played the drums (a gift that was passed down to Revere) and his father is a cool seasoned bassist who is part of the rhythm section throughout the album.” This is a very interesting album to me, it really doesn’t fit in any genre, maybe a little popish? Definitely some Bluesy components, but some great song writing for sure. Some that stood out to me were “Lofty Politics”, “Love Is Greater” and “The Mountains Are Calling”. I think my favorite is “A Girl Named Happiness″, I can see this one playing on mainstream radio, listen here. I will give this a 7 on Blues Content and a 9 on Music Content.
Monster Mike Welch – Keep Living Til I Die (Self Produced)
Bio – “With over three decades of touring and recording under his belt, Boston-based blues guitarist Monster Mike Welch is a seasoned veteran of the international blues scene. Given the nickname “Monster Mike” by actor/Ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd at the tender age of 13, Welch has since carved out a niche as a highly accomplished and in-demand guitarist. To date, Welch has released several albums under his own name and in 2001, he joined the ranks of one of New England’s most beloved blues institutions, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, where he stayed until 2017, recording five albums and racking up multiple Blues Music Award nominations for the band in that time. In addition, Welch has recorded with Shemekia Copeland, Ronnie Earl, Danielle Nicole, Duke Robillard, Johnny Winter, Victor Wainwright, Nick Moss, the Mannish Boys and Sugaray Rayford, among others. Welch left the Bluetones in 2017 to focus on his partnership with Mike Ledbetter, which led to seven Blues Music Award nominations and the formation of the Welch Ledbetter Connection within the first year. Welch has received three consecutive Blues Music Award nominations by the Blues Foundation for Instrumentalist-Guitar beginning in 2016, a Boston Music Award for Best Blues Act, and is an inductee of the Rhode Island Music Hall Of Fame. In 2023, Monster Mike Welch embarked on the next phase of his career when he released the Blues Music Award-nominated Nothing But Time.”
Review – I think Monster Mike is an incredible musician, guitarist and vocalist. His first album, “These Blues Are Mine”, was amazing. He was so young and his music was raw and believable. Except for “Axe To Grind”, I thought his music kind of went a little limp. He is back at true form for this newest album. Very unique voice and amazing guitar. His band is top notch with Brooks Milgate on Keys, Brad Hallen on Bass and Fabrico Bessaouat on Drums. As most of the better albums coming out these days, Kid Andersen is producing this one too. I like all the tunes on this one, but “Keep Living Til I Die”, “Hell Hound On My Trail” and “Some Other Guy” really stood out to me. I think my favorite is “Love Me Baby″, written by Mike and a great traditional electric Blues feel, listen here. I will give this a 10 on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Kip London – The Last Dance (Momojo Records)
Bio – “Kip London chose his craft at the young age of 11, got his first guitar, and never looked back, carving out a career as a talented artist with a phenomenal range and a gift for rhythmic improvisation in addition to his prolific songwriting. His early life in Western PA (Braddock, McKeesport, then Greensburg) was filled with his mother’s love and the sounds of big band and swing orchestras in the background from the restaurant and bars where his Ma worked. He would sit nights listening from their upstairs apartments, babysat by his dog Scout. He was orphaned at the young age of 12, and life remained tough, with music providing purpose and solace. Music was his world, and the blues his vocation. He began playing in various Pittsburgh Rock ‘N’ Roll bands throughout the 70’s and 80’s before moving to Boston and immersing himself in its active music scene. Inspired by the folk music icon Bob Dylan, Kip created a unique blues style that was eclectic and authentic. From solo artist to frontman to over half a decade as lead vocalist for a 15-piece orchestra in Boston, Kip’s raw and real style was his own in every incarnation. The Boston Globe called his work “straight ahead cool.” In March 1998, one of Kip’s earlier CD’s, Jump City, took its spot among music greats when it was listed along with B.B.King’s, Deuces Wild, and Bob Dylan’s, Time out of Mind as “the top ten most often listened to recordings in Blues Revue’s offices.” Returning to the “Burgh” in 2017 with his sweetheart and beloved bull terrier in tow, Kip brought his distinctive renditions and solos back to the rich legacy of his hometown music scene. He was the winner of the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania’s annual Blues Challenge in the Solo/Duo category in 2021 and represented Western PA in the 37th Annual International Blues Challenge, held in May 2022 in Memphis. More than the accolades, though, it was always the music that satisfied his soul. Ronny “Moondog” Esser, owner of the world-famous Moondogs music club in Blawnox, Pa, says, “I met Kip nearly four decades ago. I watched and admired his talents as he grew from a good singer/songwriter to one of the best I ever heard. He has written and performed dozens of songs ranging from folk to rock to swing. He is and will always be my best friend. See ya when I get there, Kip.” The world lost a friend and musical giant with Kip’s untimely passing in 2022. The posthumous release of The Last Dance (MoMojo Records, July 2025) represents a series of great recording sessions with Pittsburgh Rock ‘N’ Roll Legend Norman Nardini at his East Side Sound Studio, masterfully curated and produced by three-time Grammy winner Kirk Yano at his studio in Brooklyn, NY and mastered at world renowned Sterling Sound. All profits from the album will be donated to charitable causes in Kip’s name. Kip lives on in his music.”
Review – This Posthumous release of 10 tunes recorded before Kip’s death. This CD has a real old school feel, not sure why but it kind of reminds me of early Bob Dylan. Some Blues, Some Country but all really good. Band consists of Kip playing Guitar and providing Vocals, Kirk Yano on Guitar and Bass, John Nemeth on Harmonica, Tony Paoletta on Steel Guitar, Donald Krueger and Tommy Rich on Drums, tommy Mandel on Piano, Soloman Hicks on Guitar and Cheryl Rinouato on Guitar. Resonator tunes are killer!! Some of the standouts for me were “Death Letter Blues”, “Jitterbug Swing” and “Up Jumps The Devil” but I think my favorite is “What’s The Matter Now″, cool early rock feel, listen here. I will give this a 9 on Blues Content and a 10 on Music Content.
Sandy Atkinson – The Best Of Sandy Atkinson (Gator Blues)
Bio – “Member of BMI, MLC, Harry Fox Agency and Americana Music Association. She is included in the Museum of Florida History’s Florida’s Got the Blues exhibit. In 2023, she was invited to play the National Women in Blues Showcase in Memphis at Alfred’s on Beale St. This was her second invitation/ time to play that event. Sandy is known for her diversity in writing and vocal styles which are mostly blues, rock and country. She has toured in the US and Norway and been a guest on radio shows nationally and internationally and has released 6 CDs. She most enjoys working with her band, The True Loves. “I feel very lucky to play with such a talented, experienced group of professionals with the True Loves including Cannon Quinn, Dennis McCarthy, Dean Germain and our newest member, Jeff Davis. “These guys are pros and so talented! They each have many years of experience touring, on stage and in the studio and I’m honored to make music with them. We fit perfectly! We have played and recorded together for many years.” She and the True Loves have opened for artists including Sue Foley, Chris Duarte, Tinsley Ellis and shared the stage with Bob Margolin. Other shows included House of Blues, Orlando, Rib Fest in St. Petersburg, Skipper’s Smoke House in Tampa, Tobaccoa Road in Miami, Dunedin Blues Fest in Dunedin, FL, Clearwater Sea Blues Fest and various other venues and festivals. One of her songs, “Cook In Your Kitchen” was chosen by Duke Robillard for an artist he produced a CD for, Sunny Crownover. Locally, she does charity events for Domestic Violence Shelters, Children’s organizations and the local Public Radio station, WMNF. She chaired the Suncoast Blues Society’s Blues in the Schools program for 3 years. Sandy was selected to represent the Suncoast Blues Society in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. Influences include Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Otis Redding, Mahalia Jackson and Ray Charles. Most of all she credits her Mom for passing on her love of music and singing. ”
Review – Twenty-one song CD!! Wow. This is an accumulation of recordings from 3 different studio and a live performance at the Palladium Theater. Sandy’s voice has some great moments but for mostly it tends to be out of tune or just not fitting the song. Lots of different musicians playing on these tracks including Cannon Quinn on Guitar, Dean Germain on Keys, Dennis McCarthy on Drums, Robert Parker on Bass and Harmonica, Little Juke on Guitar, Vince Warren on Bass, Tomcat Blake on Guitar and many others. The music it self is actually pretty good, nice variety of Blues tunes with some leaning into the jazz range. Some of the tunes that stood out to my ears were “Got The Wrong Number″, “Cook In Your Kitchen”, “Mean Man” but I think my favorite is “She’s Just A Floozy″, listen here. I will give this a 9 on Blues Content and an 8 on Music Content.
Chris Vincent & The Raw Deals – Good Crook (Self Produced)
Bio – “Chris Vincent is an award winning singer/songwriter and slide guitarist based out of the city he often refers to as his muse, New Orleans, Louisiana. With deep roots originating in Delta blues guitar, Vincent’s instantly recognizable solo slide guitar
style draws from elements including, big band jazz, bebop, early electric blues and Western swing to deliver songs that delve deep into the universal complexities of love, loss, redemption, resilience and the human spirit. This honest approach to his songwriting has not gone unnoticed as Chris’s music has successfully been featured on film, TV and radio stations all over the world.”
Review – I tried, but I don’t get this one. He is actually getting some good reviews, so it just must be me. Guitar sounds good, but then it sounds like someone telling a story (spoken word). Chris has Johnny Vidacovich on Drums and Dean Zucchero on Bass. I tend to drift out while listening to this one. I really don’t have a tune that I would recommend out of these, again could just me me… I will give this a 6 on Blues Content and a 6 on Music Content.
